Multiple vacuum switch apparatus having longitudinal actuator

ABSTRACT

A high voltage switch apparatus is described employing a plurality of vacuum switches mounted in radially spaced positions about a common actuator rod whose movable contacts are operated by longitudinal movement of the actuator rod. Each of the switches has a toggle operating mechanism for quick opening and closing of the switch contacts substantially parallel to the movement of the actuator rod. The operating levers of such toggle mechanisms are each connected through a lost motion coupling to a common actuator plate for rotation of such levers by longitudinal movement of such plate by the actuator rod. A closing spring provided on the lost motion coupling is preloaded by movement of such coupling relative to the operating lever until the opposing force applied to such lever by a toggle latching spring is overcome, and then such closing spring causes rapid closure of the switch contacts.

United States Patent [15] 3,655,930 Frey 51 Apr. 11, 1972 [54] MULTIPLEVACUUM SWITCH 3,527,910 9/1970 Mitchell, Jr. et al. ..200/144 BAPPARATUS HAVING LONGITUDINAL P E R b s M T AT nmary .xammero ert aconAC U 0R Attomey-Buckhom, Blore, Klarquist and Sparkman [72] Inventor:Albert M. Frey, Portland, Oreg. [73] Assignee: Powerdyne lnc., Tualatin,Oreg. [57] ABSTRACT A high voltage switch apparatus is describedemploying a plu- [22] May 1970 rality of vacuum switches mounted inradially spaced positions [2|] Appl. No.: 35,483 about a common actuatorrod whose movable contacts are operated by longitudinal movement of theactuator rod. Each 7 of the switches has a toggle operating mechanismfor quick 2%} 'g 135 opening and closing of the switch contactssubstantially parals i ll 44 B 145 lel to the movement of the actuatorrod. The operating levers l of such toggle mechanisms are each connectedthrough a lost motion coupling to a common actuator plate for rotationof [56] References Cited such levers by longitudinal movement of suchplate by the ac- UNITED STATES PATENTS tuator rod. A closing springprovided on the lost motion v coupling is preloaded by movement of suchcoupling relative 2838636 6/1958 7 schwfigel' "200/144 Bx to theoperating lever until the opposing force applied to such 2,915,611l2/1959 q s 200/144 B x lever by a toggle latching spring is overcome,and then such 3,163,735 12/1964 Mme! "200/144 5 closing spring causesrapid closure of the switch contacts. 3,226,499 12/1965 ..200/144 B X3,400,353 9/1968 Schockelt ..200/ 144 B X 14 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 3Sheets-Sheet l Patented April 11, 1972 ALBERT M. FREY lNl/f/VTOI? 3$h89ts-$h69t 2 FIG. 2

"Tiiiir Patented April 11, 1972 ALBERT M FRE Y M/VHWOI? 5r BUG/(HORN, BL0/76, KL mau/sr a .SmR/(MA/v AT TOR/V6 KS Patented April 11, 1972 3Sheets-Sheet 3 ALBERT M. FREY INVENTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thesubject matter of the present invention relates generally to switchapparatus for making and breaking high voltage electrical circuits, andin particular to such a switch apparatus having a plurality of vacuumswitches radially spaced about a common actuator which is movedlongitudinally to rotate the operating levers of toggle mechanisms thatquickly open and close the movable contacts of such switches. The switchapparatus of the present invention is an extremely compact apparatuswhich may be mounted in any position and is actuated by a shortlongitudinal movement, on the order of about 3 inches, of a commonlongitudinalactuator rod. As such, the present switch apparatus is animprovement over the rotary actuator and switch apparatus of U.S. Pat.No. 3,399,286 of C. E. Kerr which is also assigned to theassignee of thepresent application. I

The high voltage switch apparatus of the present invention is especiallyuseful as an interrupter for interrupting high currents flowing in ahigh voltage electrical circuit. For example, one embodiment of theswitch apparatus of the present invention 23 inches in diameter and 27inches high, is capable of operating as an interrupter for voltages upto 25 kilovolts, instantaneous currents up to 20,000 amperes, andcontinuous currents up to 600 amperes.

Unlike the previous apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. I 3,399,286, the presentswitch apparatus employs a common actuator plate attached to theactuator rod and the toggle operating mechanisms of all the vacuumswitches are connected through lost motion couplings to the actuatorplate at positions spaced about the actuator rod. This eliminates theplurality. of sliding contact members, brackets and associated guiderods forming a series coupling between the operating mechanisms of theswitches of such patent.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a highvoltage switch apparatus of simple construction and reliable operationin which a plurality of vacuum switches are actuated by a commonlongitudinal actuator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a switchapparatus of an extremely compact structure in which the operatingmechanisms of the switches are each connected to a common actuator plateattached to an actuator rod which operates such switches by a shortlongitudinal movement of such rod and plate. I

A further object of the invention is to provide such a switch apparatuswith a lever operated toggle mechanism for fast opening and closing ofthe contacts of each switch.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a switchapparatus in which the pivoted operating lever of the toggle mechanismis connected to the actuator plate through a lost motion coupling havinga closing spring which is preloaded by partial rotation of the leverandcauses rapid movement of such lever into the closed position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such aswitch apparatus in which the longitudinal actuator is provided withsubstantially the same opening and closing resistance forces.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such a switchapparatus with a sealed housing containing an insulating fluid in whicha bellows seal is employed between the longitudinal actuator rod and thecover of the housing to provide a dynamic seal of long useful lifetime.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of thepresent invention will be apparent from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment thereof and from the attacheddrawings of which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of one end of the switch apparatus of thepresent invention with parts broken away for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a section view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2shown on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, oneembodiment of the high voltage switch apparatus of the present inventionincludes a cylindrical metal drum 10 and a cover plate 12 welded to theedge of the open end of such drum to provide a fluid-tight housingcontaining a plurality of vacuum switches 14 in a pressurized insulatinggas. A common actuator rod 16 for each of the switches extends throughan opening in the cover plate 12 and is sealed to such cover plate by abellows seal 18 which enables longitudinal movement of such actuator rodin the direction of the double headed arrow 20. Each of the vacuumswitches 14 has a toggle operating mechanism 22 which is connected tothe movable contact of such switch. The switches 14 and operatingmechanisms 22 are attached by bolts 24 to a common support plate 26 ofinsulating material, such as resin impregnated fiber glass whichsupports the switches in radially spaced positions around the actuatorrod 16. The support plate 26 is attached by tie rods 28 to the coverplate 12 to enable the switch apparatus to be mounted in any position.Each of the tie rods has one end threaded into openings in an attachmentplate 30 welded to the under side of the cover plate and has its otherend extending through a hole in the support plate so that it is clampedbetween two nuts 32 threaded onto such other end. Each of the operatingmechanisms 22 is provided with an operator lever 34 which pivots about afixed pivot point 36 in the direction of the double headed arrow 38 whenthe actuator rod 16 is moved longitudinally. As shown in FIG. 2, thelever arms 34 are connected at one end to a lost motion coupling link 40which is pivoted at pivot member 41 secured to a common actuator plate42 fixedly attached to the actuator rod 16 for movement therewith.

The longitudinal actuator rod 16 extends through an opening in thesupport plate 26 and is fixedly attached to a pair of spaced stopwashers 44 and 46 on opposite sides of such support plate. The stopwashers 44 and 46 limit the longitudinal movement of the actuator rod toabout 3 inches before they engage the support plate 26. The tie rods 28extend through bearings 48 mounted in apertures in the actuator plate 42which enable movement of such actuator plate along such tie rods. Ahearing support plate 50 is positioned around the upper end of thebearings 48 while the actuator plate 42 is positioned around the lowerend of such bearings and spaced from plate 50 by sleeve 51 surroundingthe rod 16 in order to hold the bearings in vertical alignment equallyspaced from each other. A pair of equalization springs 52 and 54 areprovided around each of the tie rods 28 with the long upper spring 52positioned between the cover plate 12 and the bearing support plate 50and the short lower spring 54 positioned between the support plate 26and the actuator plate 42. These equalization springs have differentcompression characteristics and serve to equalize the forces resistingthe opening and closing movements of the actuator rod 16. In addition,the tie rods 28 also function to guide the longitudinal movement of theactuator plate 42.

The toggle operating mechanisms 22 associated with each of the vacuumswitches 14 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and provide fast opening andclosing of a movable contact 56 of such switch relative to a fixedcontact 58 within the evacuated envelope of the switch. The movablecontact 56 is provided with longitudinal substantially parallel to themovement of the actuator rod 16 in direction 20, through the envelopewall by means of a bellows seal 60 connected between the envelope andsuch electrode in a conventional manner. The toggle operating mechanism22 includes an opening toggle formed by three links mounted on a housing61 .with a first pair of links 62 pivotally attached at one end to afixed pivot shaft 64 extending between the sides of the housing. Theother ends of the first links 62 are pivotally connected by a movablepivot shaft 66 to mend of a pair of intermediate links 68. 'The otherends of the intermediate links 68 are connected bya pair of movablepivotshafts 70 to one end of each of a pair of third links 72, the other endof which are pivotally attached to the housing 6l by fixed pivots 74. ii

The movable pivot shafts 70 are fixedly attached to the sides of amovable spring housing 76 containing a contact pressure spring 78, asshown in FIG. 4. The contactpressure spring 78 has its left end inengagement with the housing'76 and its right end in engagement with anadjustable nut 80 threaded onto a connecting shaft 82 having one endattached to the shaft of the movable contact 56. The other end of theconnecting shaft 82 extends through an opening 83 in the spring housingand has a stop washer 84 attached thereto by means of a nut 86.

such stop washer being spaced away from the left end. of the housing 76by about 0.04 inch when the contacts 56 and 58 are closed. in this.c'losedposition, the spring 78 determines the pressure between thecontacts 56 and 58 so that any erosionfof such contacts due to arcing isautomatically compensated forby such spring within the limit provided bythe spacactuator rod and actuator plate 42 causes the endmember 90 andpivot shaft v64 to rotate'and, at the same time, causes the link 62 torotate in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 64 moving the pivotshaft 66 upward into the dashed line position-66'. A pair of openingsprings 92 are provided on opposite sides of housing 61, each springhaving one end attached to 'a movable pivot shaft 70 and its other endattached to a fixed projection 94 on the housing. As a result, when theposition of the movable pivot shaft 66 is raised above the over centertoggle position intersecting a line extending between the axis of pivot64 and pivots 70, such opening springs 92 quickly move the toggle links62, 68 and" into the dashed line openposition, thereby opening thecontacts 56 and 58 in an extremely rapid manner.

' Closing of the switch contacts and 58 is accomplished by moving theactuator rod 16 and the actuator plate 42 to the right toward .the,vacuumswitch'es', thereby causing the lost motion coupling 40 to sliderelative toa pivot 96 connecting suchj'coupling to an end member'98ajttachedto lever arm 94; This compresses a closing spring 100 providedaround the end of the lost motion coupling 40 remote from the actuatorplate 42,-such'closing spring being held between a pin 102 and the leverend member 98. The lost motion link has an elongated slot 104 withinwhich the pivot96-slides to preload the spring 100 until it reaches theleft hand end of such slot shown in FIG. 3. Then, continued movement ofthe lost motion link to the right starts clockwise rotation of the leverarm 34 causing the first toggle link 62 to pivot clockwise from thedotted line 7 position shown to the solid line position, therebylowering the ing the toggle links 62, 68 and 72 quickly into the solidline position shown.

The latching spring 106 operates as a closing toggle for the switchcontacts and as a latch to hold the lever 34 in either its open orclosed position. One end of such latching spring is attached to amounting member 108 pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot shaft 110 withinthe housing 61. The other end of the latching spring 106 is attached toa mounting member 112 pivotally attached by pivot shaft 114 fixed to thelever end member 90. A stop bolt 116 is secured between the two first inthe-lever end'membe'r 90. to limit the rotation of the lever 34 andthereby determine its open and closed positions. The toggle latchingspring 106 holds the lever in either its open or closed position. Thus,the force of the latching spring 106 in the solid line closed positionshown, is in a direction clockwise with respect to pivot 64, while theforce of such spring in the dashed line open position of the lever armis counterclockwise with respect to pivot 64. This'change in directionof the latching force of spring 100 occurs at the over center toggleposition of such spring where the axis of moving pivot 114 crosses aline between fixed pivots 64 and 110. The latching spring 106 provides acounterclockwise force on lever 34 which opposes rotation and tends tohold the lever arm in its open position so that the lost motionconnection 40 is moved to the right and compresses or preloads theclosing spring 100 until the pivot 114 of latching spring 106 crossesits over center position. At this time, the force of the latching spring106 changes to a clockwise direction which aids rotation of lever'34and'enables' the closing spring 100 to rapidly move the lever and theswitch contacts to aclose'd position.

The vacuum switches 14 operate in a conventional manner to make andbreak theelectrical circuit for current flowing between one terminal 120at'tached'to the fixed contact 58 of each switch and another terminal122 attached to the shaft of the movable contact 56. The terminal 122 isconnected by two flexible conductors 123 to the housing 61 of theoperating mechanism which, in turn, is electrically connected to anoutput terminal 124 extending through an insulator bushing 126 sealed tothe cover plate 12. The other terminal 120 is con-,

nected through abus bar conductor 128 to an input terminal 130 extendingthrough an insulator bushing 132sealed to the cover plate 12. Of course,other connections can be made to the vacuum switches and morethan oneactuator rod and its associated switches and operating I mechanisms canbe 'em-. ployed within the same housing 10.

A gas inlet valve 134 is provided through the cover plate 12 forintroducing the insulating gas into the housing 10 and for monitoringthe pressure of the gas in such housing. in addition, the actuator rod16 may by provided with a .hot stick" operating ring 136 at its upperend for remote manual operation by means of a pole having a hook on oneend thereof. Al-

ternatively, the actuating rod .16 maybe operated automatically with ahydraulic cylinder byreplacing the. operating ring 136 with asuitable'connector,for attachment 'to' the piston shaftofsuch'cylinder.I i

it will be obvious to'thosehaving ordinary skill in the art that 'manychanges'm'ay be. make in the above-described detailed embodiment'of thepresent invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.Therefore, the scope of the present invention should only be determinedby the following claims. W E- r. I claim: I

l. A high voltage switch apparatus comprising: a a plurality of vacuumswitches each having a movable contact; "1 actuator means including acommon actuator member mounted for longitudinal movement foractuatingsaid switches; support means for supporting said vacuum switches inradially spaced positions around said actuator member; a plurality ofoperating means each including an operator member mounted for rotationalmovement connectedno .a different one of said switches for moving itsmovable contact in response to movement of said operator member; and a aplurality of coupling means each connected between the actuator meansand a different one of said operating means for coupling said actuatormember to each of said operator members so that the operator I membersare rotated by longitudinal movement of theactuator member 1 2. Switchapparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which toggle links 62 andengages a circular stop notch'118 provided 75 said operating meansincludesa toggle means connected to a lever operator member for rapidlymoving the movable contact of the switch to an open position and to aclosed position after the toggle means passes through an intermediatetoggle position- 3. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in whichthe actuator member moves substantially parallel to the movement of saidmovable contacts.

. 4. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which the couplingmeans each include a lost motion link connected to the operator lever.

5. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which the couplingmeans also includes a closing spring which is compressed by movement ofthe operator lever relative to said link during initial rotation of thelever from its open position, and rapidly rotates the operator lever toits closed position after the lever reaches an intermediate over centertoggle position.

6. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the actuatormember includes an actuator plate attached to an actuator rod adjacentone end thereof for longitudinal movement therewith and the couplingmeans are each connected to the actuator plate at radially spacedpositions around the actuator rod and extend back toward the other endof said rod.

7. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which the vacuumswitches are attached to a common support plate of insulating materialatpositions spaced around the actuating rod.

8. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which the actuator rodextends through a hole in the support plate and is provided with a pairof spaced stops on opposite sides of said support plate with limit thelongitudinal movement of said actuator rod. v

9. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which the switches,operating means and coupling means are contained within a fluid-tightsealed housing filled with insulating fluid and including a cover platehaving an aperture through which the actuator rod extends, and having abellows seal member attached between said rod and said plate.

10. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 9 in which a plurality ofguide rods are attached between the support plate and the cover plateand extend through guide holes in the actuator plate.

11. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 10 in which the actuatormeans includes a pair of equalizing springs of different compressioncharacteristics provided on each guide rod and separated by the actuatorplate to provide the actuator rod with substantially the same openingand closing resistance forces.

12. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which the togglemeans comprises a first toggle for rapidly opening the switch contactsincluding three links pivotally connected together, including a firstlink fixedly attached at one end to the operator lever for movementtherewith, a second link pivotally attached at one end to a fixed pivot,and an intermediate link pivotally connected between the other ends ofsaid first and second links, and in which the movable contact of theswitch is connected to the common pivot connection of the intermediatelink and said other end of the second link for longitudinal movementwith said common connection.

13. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which an openingspring means is connected between said common pivot connection and apoint adjacent the pivot of said lever.

14. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 13 in which the togglemeans includes a second toggle means for rapidly closing the switchcontacts and for holding the operator lever in its open or closedposition, and which includes a latching spring which is moved with theoperator lever so that it tends to rotate said operator lever in onedirection when the toggle means is open and in the opposite directionwhen said toggle means is closed.

1. A high voltage switch apparatus comprising: a plurality of vacuumswitches each having a movable contact; actuator means including acommon actuator member mounted for longitudinal movement for actuatingsaid switches; support means for supporting said vacuum switches inradially spaced positions around said actuator member; a plurality ofoperating means each including an operator member mounted for rotationalmovement connected to a different one of said switches for moving itsmovable contact in response to movement of said operator member; and aplurality of coupling means each connected between the actuator meansand a different one of said operating means for coupling said actuatormember to each of said operator members so that the operator members arerotated by longitudinal movement of the actuator member.
 2. Switchapparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said operating meansincludes a toggle means connected to a lever operator member for rapidlymoving the movable contact of the switch to an open position and to aclosed position after the toggle means passes through an intermediatetoggle position.
 3. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in whichthe actuator member moves substantially parallel to the movement of saidmovable contacts.
 4. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 2 inwhich the coupling means each include a lost motion link connected tothe operator lever.
 5. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 4 inwhich the coupling means also includes a closing spring which iscompressed by movement of the operator lever relative to said linkduring initial rotation of the lever from its open position, and rapidlyrotates the operator lever to its closed position after the leverreaches an intermediate over center toggle position.
 6. Switch apparatusin accordance with claim 1 in which the actuator member includes anactuator plate attached to an actuator rod adjacent one end thereof forlongitudinal movement therewith and the coupling means are eachconnected to the actuator plate at radially spaced positions around theactuator rod and extend back toward the other end of said rod.
 7. Switchapparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which the vacuum switches areattached to a common support plate of insulating material at positionsspaced around the actuating rod.
 8. Switch apparatus in accordance withclaim 7 in which the actuator rod extends through a hole in the supportplate and is provided with a pair of spaced stops on opposite sides ofsaid support plate with limit the longitudinal movement of said actuatorrod.
 9. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which theswitches, operating means and coupling means are contained within afluid-tight sealed housing filled with insulating fluid and including acover plate having an aperture through which the actuator rod extends,and having a bellows seal member attached between said rod and saidplate.
 10. SWitch apparatus in accordance with claim 9 in which aplurality of guide rods are attached between the support plate and thecover plate and extend through guide holes in the actuator plate. 11.Switch apparatus in accordance with claim 10 in which the actuator meansincludes a pair of equalizing springs of different compressioncharacteristics provided on each guide rod and separated by the actuatorplate to provide the actuator rod with substantially the same openingand closing resistance forces.
 12. Switch apparatus in accordance withclaim 5 in which the toggle means comprises a first toggle for rapidlyopening the switch contacts including three links pivotally connectedtogether, including a first link fixedly attached at one end to theoperator lever for movement therewith, a second link pivotally attachedat one end to a fixed pivot, and an intermediate link pivotallyconnected between the other ends of said first and second links, and inwhich the movable contact of the switch is connected to the common pivotconnection of the intermediate link and said other end of the secondlink for longitudinal movement with said common connection.
 13. Switchapparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which an opening spring meansis connected between said common pivot connection and a point adjacentthe pivot of said lever.
 14. Switch apparatus in accordance with claim13 in which the toggle means includes a second toggle means for rapidlyclosing the switch contacts and for holding the operator lever in itsopen or closed position, and which includes a latching spring which ismoved with the operator lever so that it tends to rotate said operatorlever in one direction when the toggle means is open and in the oppositedirection when said toggle means is closed.